Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1887-05-30

rades In Line-Eic.
Promptly at II o'clock this morning
E. d. Baker Post, No. 16, G. A. R.
filed out of headquarters, about 4C
strong, and, headed by the HALEY
Band, marched to the Theater, which
was soon filed to OVERLOOKING with
ladies, gentlemen and children.
The assemblage was called to order
by President of the Day w. 7. Riley,
who called for the reading of the or.
ders of Memorial Day by Post Adju-
tant E. E. Richards. The Rev. J. w.
Maxwell, Chaplain, offered PRAYER
The HALEY Band then played a selec-
tion-after which the Orator of the
Day was introduced, and spoke as
follows:
CAPTAIN GUMS ADDRESS,
Mr. President, COMRADES OF THE GRAND ARMY
We have assembled to-day to gar
land with flowers the graves of those
who, when the nation was in peril,
laid aside the peaceful pursuits of life,
took up arms, and freely offered their
lives to preserve the government they
received from their fathers. How
short the span seems to us who par.
tic'pated in the mighty events of the
past; and yet, when l look at this
audience before me, l am reminded
OF the fact that large portion of
them know nothing of the war of the
rebellion but what they have learned
from books or from those who were
actors in the great struggle. A gen
Grafton OF men have grown up and as.
sumed the duties Of citizenship since
the close of the war. For the benefit
of all such let the events of that pc.
riod be recounted OH Decoration Dav,
so that not only this generation, but
all succeeding generations, may know
how bravely their fathers fought, how
nobiy they fell. Let them be inspired
to deeds of honorable citizenship bv
the recollection of the patriotic Exam
pie of those who went before them.
In doing this let us not invoke the
bitter memories Of the past. Let no
man call up its strfes and iealousies.
But rather let US strive to revive its
heroic memories, for that age will! for
ever live in the annals of our history
as the heroic age. To recount the
patriotic impulses that swayed the
loyal sons of the Union, to keep alive
and re-infuse the patriotism of that
time-let that be our object.
AS we stand to day at the verge of
the graves of our fallen comrades,
how forcibly the tragic scenes of the
past return to us-the remnants of
that grand army which saved the ma
ton! ! can look back now upon those
days, and in my mind there passes in
review the stirring war meetings held
in some central or convenient locality
in the different counties, to which all
the surrounding townships sent their
delegations. Each delegation would
come in making as much display as
possible. Old farmers came in with
their wagons full Of strong, robust
young ,nen, headed frequently with
fife and drum, and some stalwart
young fellow would carry the stars
and stripes, his country's emblem,
which all the young girls in the neigh
borhood would tax their skill in max
ing, and every star would be in its
place. You might rely upon it that
many young man in that delegation
would lay down his life to keep those
stars there. Then followed the war
speeches, in which the whole contro-
versy between the Union men and
the seceders would be gone over,
and an appeal always effectively
would be made for the preservation of
the old Union and the Old Constitu-
ton. Then would come the call to
arms, when men broke loose from all
worldly associations, family ties, and
all else, and raising up their right
hands, swore that the old Union and
the old Constitution should be pre-
served. l tell you, my comrades, we
all know they kept their oaths.
After enlistment came the parting
from home, from the family circle,
from friends; the mastering by COM
panies and regiments; and the final
march to the front. Alas! how many
went who never returned. Their
bodies moulder beneath the Southern
soil in thousands of unknown graves.
Many a mother saw the pride of the
household depart for the seat of war
and never looked upon him again
There was mourning through the
land; there were hearthstones made
desolate; yet out of this agony, out OF
this smoke, ruin, and desolation of
war, the nation emerged redeemed,
preserved, without stain of dishonor
on her brig ht banner.
Weep no more, Columbia. Millions
of freemen live to day who cherish
with grateful remembrance the
achievements Of YOUR sons, aud ever